Low maintenance perennials: 23 that need almost no work, sorted by height and light

At a glance

What low maintenance actually means

No perennial is zero-maintenance. Plants sold as low maintenance often still need weekly deadheading, frequent division, or spraying for mildew. Every plant on this list meets stricter tests:

• No routine deadheading or staking in full sun (a few benefit from one optional cutback, noted below).
• Little or no division; exceptions are noted.
• Tolerates ordinary dry spells once established, unless noted as a moisture lover.
• Grows in average soil without heavy amendment or feeding.

What they still need from you:

• The right site. Matching the plant to its sun and drainage is the real prerequisite. A sun lover in shade or a dry-soil plant in a wet hollow will struggle no matter how tough the label says it is.
• Soil preparation and establishment care. Clemson HGIC stresses good soil preparation because perennials may stay in place for many years, and notes many newly planted perennials won't bloom the first year. Water deeply at least weekly until plants are established. "Drought-tolerant once established" means after this period.
• A late-winter cleanup. Cutting back dead stems in late winter or early spring is the main annual job. The site's guide to when to prune perennials gives timing by species.
• Mulch. Per Clemson HGIC, a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded leaves, pine bark or wood chips gives good weed control, which removes most of the remaining labor in a perennial bed.

Quick comparison: all 23 at a glance

Zones and heights are from NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox except catmint (Wisconsin Extension) and bigroot geranium (Morton Arboretum).

Low growers for sun and part shade

Daylily 'Stella de Oro' (Hemerocallis)

At a glance: Zones 3–9 · compact · sun to light shade · reblooms

Per Clemson HGIC, daylilies are dependable perennials that tolerate drought and flooding, heat and most soils, and are relatively pest-free; 'Stella de Oro' is one of the best-known reblooming daylilies. Division is not essential, though it can revive crowded clumps. NC State Extension notes that soil that is too rich or a site that is too shady means fewer flowers. Removing spent blooms and seedpods improves appearance but is optional.

Bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum)

At a glance: Zones 3–8 · 12–24 in · full sun to part shade · blooms late spring to midsummer

Per the Morton Arboretum, this creeping groundcover tolerates dry sites and alkaline soil, grows fast, and handles hot summers better than other hardy geraniums. Its spreading habit fills space and crowds out weeds.

Mid-height perennials for sun (about 18 inches to 4 feet)

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Joy')

At a glance: Zones 3–10 · 18–24 in · full sun · blooms late summer to fall

Per NC State Extension, 'Autumn Joy' is drought- and salt-tolerant, resists rabbit browsing, and needs little attention. It wants well-drained soil of average to low fertility and can rot in wet or overly rich soil. Cut or pinch it back in early spring to keep stems thick and bushy. It gives year-round interest: spring rosettes, summer buds, fall flowers, and brown seed heads in winter.

Catmint 'Walker's Low' (Nepeta × faassenii)

At a glance: Zones 3–8 · clumps 1½–2 ft · full sun · blooms early summer to fall

Per University of Wisconsin Extension, 'Walker's Low' was the Perennial Plant Association's 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year. It is fairly drought-resistant once established, has few pest problems, and is not bothered by deer or rabbits. Cutting it back by a half to a third after the first flush promotes rebloom; skip that and it is still fine, just looser. It is sterile, so it won't self-seed, and bees and butterflies work it heavily.

Black-eyed Susan 'Goldsturm' (Rudbeckia)

At a glance: Zones 3–9 · 18–24 in · full sun · blooms midsummer to frost

Per NC State Extension, 'Goldsturm' is one of the most popular perennials in cultivation, won the Perennial Plant of the Year award in 1999, and is generally pest- and disease-free. It resists deer and drought. Iowa State University Extension lists it among long-lived perennials. Cut back in late winter.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

At a glance: Zones 3–8 · 3–4 ft · sun to part shade · blooms early summer to mid-fall

Per NC State Extension, this central and eastern U.S. native adapts to many soils, is drought-tolerant once established, and resists deer, heat, humidity and salt. It needs no deadheading and reseeds itself. Japanese beetles, leaf spot and aster yellows are occasional problems.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

At a glance: Zones 3–9 · 1–3 ft · full sun · blooms summer

Per NC State Extension, yarrow tolerates poor soil and drought and resists deer and rabbits, but it can spread aggressively by rhizomes and seed and gets root rot in soil that is too wet. It is easy to divide when a clump outgrows its space; deadheading prolongs bloom but is optional.

Meadow sage (Salvia nemorosa)

At a glance: Zones 4–8 · 18 in–3 ft · full sun to part shade · blooms June–September

Per NC State Extension, meadow (woodland) sage is easy to grow in average, well-drained soil, tolerates dry soil, is drought-tolerant, and is seldom damaged by deer or rabbits. Violet-blue spikes attract bees and hummingbirds.

Spike speedwell (Veronica spicata)

At a glance: Zones 3–8 · 2–3 ft · full sun · blooms late spring to midsummer

Per NC State Extension, spike speedwell is easy to grow in moist, well-drained soil and resists deer and rabbits. Shearing it down to the basal rosette after bloom brings repeat flowers in fall. Root rot can occur in soil that stays wet in winter.

Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)

At a glance: Zones 4–8 · 2–3 ft · full sun to part shade · silvery-blue foliage

Per NC State Extension, this clumping cool-season grass has no serious pest problems and resists deer and drought, but wet or poorly drained soil can cause crown rot.

Siberian iris (Iris sibirica)

At a glance: Zones 3–8 · 2–4 ft · full sun · blooms late spring

Per NC State Extension, Siberian iris is an easy, low-maintenance perennial that tolerates wet soil and resists deer, rabbits, insects and disease. It does need dividing about every three years, or once clumps get crowded and bloom drops, so it is slightly more work than most here.

Peony (Paeonia, herbaceous types)

At a glance: Zones 3–8 · 1–3 ft · full sun to light shade · blooms late spring to early summer

Per NC State Extension, peonies can take a year or two to flower after planting but, once established, can live for decades. In warm areas, set crowns no more than 1 inch deep. Large double flowers may need support, and powdery mildew can affect many cultivars. University of Missouri Extension notes peonies are deer-resistant and rarely need dividing. See peony care for planting steps.

Eastern bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana)

At a glance: Zones 3–9 · 2–3 ft · sun to part shade · blooms spring

Per NC State Extension, this central and eastern U.S. native forms an erect clump, resists deer and drought, and has no significant problems; too much shade makes it open and floppy.

Ornamental onion (Allium aflatunense and relatives)

At a glance: Zones 4–8 · flower stems 30–60 in · full sun to part shade · blooms May

Per NC State Extension, plant the bulbs 4–6 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart in fall in well-drained soil. They resist deer and rabbits and are drought-tolerant in summer, but they dislike competition, so don't crowd them.

Tall perennials for sun (3 feet and up)

Baptisia (blue false indigo) (Baptisia australis)

At a glance: Zones 3–9 · 3–4 ft tall, 2–4 ft wide · sun to part shade · blooms spring

Per NC State Extension, this eastern U.S. native's deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant but difficult to transplant, so site it once and leave it. It has no major disease or insect problems and resists deer, rabbits and poor soil. Best bloom comes in full sun; prune after flowering only if you don't want the seedpods.

Russian sage (Salvia yangii, formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia)

At a glance: Zones 5–9 · 2–4 ft · full sun · blooms summer

Per NC State Extension, Russian sage performs best in dry, well-drained soil and full sun, where it is less likely to flop, and has no serious insect or disease problems. It resists deer and drought. Cut stems back to several inches above the ground in early spring. NC State lists it under Salvia yangii; nurseries often still sell it as Perovskia.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

At a glance: Zones 5–9 · 3–7 ft with plumes · full sun · plumes late summer through winter

Per NC State Extension, this North American native grows in moist clay or sandy soils, resists deer, drought and erosion, withstands occasional flooding, and has no serious problems. Prune it back severely in late winter to early spring. NC State profiles several cultivars, including 'Heavy Metal', 'Northwind' and 'Cloud Nine'. See switchgrass care.

Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum, formerly Eupatorium)

At a glance: Zones 4–9 · 5–7 ft · sun to part shade · blooms summer to early fall

Per NC State Extension, this eastern native's large domed flower heads have a vanilla scent and draw butterflies and bees. It tolerates wet soil, resists deer, and is generally free of insects and disease. Cut stems back in spring.

Giant coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima)

At a glance: Zones 4–9 · 5–7 ft in bloom · full sun · blooms summer

Per NC State Extension, giant coneflower is an easy-going native of the south-central U.S. that tolerates light shade, heat, some drought, deer and a wide range of soils, and self-seeds in good conditions.

New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis)

At a glance: Zones 5–9 · 5–8 ft · full sun · blooms midsummer to mid-fall

Per NC State Extension, this low-maintenance native carries deep purple flower clusters on strong stems, prefers moist to wet soils, resists deer, and naturalizes easily.

Low maintenance perennials for shade

Shade cuts the list down, but these three (plus bigroot geranium in part shade, above) hold up with little care. For more options by shade type, see the site's guide to shade perennials for dry and deep shade.

Hosta (Hosta spp.)

At a glance: Zones 3–9 · 4 in–2.5 ft by cultivar · part to deep shade · grown for foliage

Per NC State Extension, hostas tolerate heavy shade, but slugs, snails and nematodes need watching, and deer and rabbits eat the tender leaves, so they are a poor choice where deer pressure is high.

Hellebore (Lenten rose, Helleborus × hybridus)

At a glance: Zones 4–9 · 1–2 ft · part to deep shade · blooms late winter to spring

Per Clemson HGIC, Lenten roses are long-lived, at 20 years or more, seldom need fertilizer, and are drought-tolerant once established, though they need water in long dry spells. Remove the old leaves as new leaves and flowers emerge to reduce fungus and mildew. NC State Extension notes they resist deer and rabbits and dislike soggy soil.

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, formerly Cimicifuga)

At a glance: Zones 3–8 · 4–7 ft · part to full shade · blooms summer

Per NC State Extension, this eastern woodland native is one of the few tall perennials for shade. It wants rich, moisture-retentive soil, ideally with 2–3 hours of morning sun, and can be slow to establish. It resists deer; rust and leaf spot are occasional problems.

Worth growing, but not quite hands-off

These two are tough and showy but need more attention:

• Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum), zones 5–9 (NC State Extension). Iowa State University Extension lists it among short-lived perennials that usually disappear within 10 years.
• Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), zones 3–8. Per NC State Extension, this native grows 3–5 feet tall, needs moist to wet soil, should be cut back in early summer to encourage branching and more flowers, and may need staking.

When division time comes for any perennial, the site's guide to dividing perennials by root type walks through timing and technique.

Matching plants to clay, dry soil, and deer

Clay. NC State Extension lists switchgrass for moist clay and sedum 'Autumn Joy' and black-eyed Susan for clay soils, and notes Siberian iris and giant coneflower tolerate a wide range of soils. Clemson HGIC says hellebores grow in clayey soils as long as they aren't wet. Russian sage and blue oat grass need good drainage and can rot in heavy, wet clay. The site's list of perennials that thrive in clay goes deeper.

Hot, dry, sandy sites. Lean toward Russian sage, sedum, catmint, yarrow and blue oat grass. Rich soil works against several of them: NC State Extension notes 'Autumn Joy' suffers in overly fertile soil and daylilies flower less in soil that is too rich.

Deer. NC State Extension rates baptisia, catmint, Russian sage, ornamental onion, eastern bluestar, coneflower, switchgrass and hellebore as deer-resistant, and Wisconsin Extension says 'Walker's Low' isn't bothered by deer. Hostas are frequent deer targets. See deer-resistant perennials for a fuller list.

Common mistakes

Frequently asked

What is the best low maintenance perennial?

For sun, baptisia and switchgrass come closest to plant-and-forget: per NC State Extension, both are drought-tolerant North American natives with no serious pest problems that resist deer. Baptisia is hard to transplant, so plant it once. For shade, Lenten rose hellebores are long-lived (20+ years, per Clemson HGIC) and need little more than removing old leaves.

What are the easiest perennial flowers to grow?

Black-eyed Susan 'Goldsturm', purple coneflower, catmint 'Walker's Low', sedum 'Autumn Joy', and daylilies are easy for beginners. They tolerate a wide range of soils, need no deadheading to stay attractive, and are widely available.

What are the hardiest perennial flowers?

For cold, choose plants rated to zone 3: baptisia, Siberian iris, peony, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, sedum 'Autumn Joy', yarrow, catmint 'Walker's Low' and black cohosh. For heat and drought, Russian sage, sedum, and catmint are among the toughest.

How long do perennials take to establish?

Often a couple of seasons. Clemson HGIC notes many newly planted perennials won't bloom the first year, and NC State Extension says peonies often take a year or two to flower after planting. Water deeply at least weekly until plants are established.

Do low maintenance perennials need fertilizer?

Usually not. Clemson HGIC says hellebores seldom need fertilizer, and NC State Extension notes sedum 'Autumn Joy' prefers soil of average to low fertility and daylilies flower less in overly rich soil. Feed only if a soil test shows a need.

Which low maintenance perennials grow in dry shade?

Bigroot geranium is a good start: the Morton Arboretum lists it for part shade and dry sites. True dry shade under conifers or shallow-rooted trees is one of the hardest garden conditions; hellebores manage once established but need water in long droughts. See the site's best plants for dry shade for more options.

Sources

1. Growing Perennials, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
2. Mulch, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
3. Daylily, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
4. Hellebore, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
5. Baptisia australis (Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox), NC State Extension
6. Panicum virgatum (Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox), NC State Extension
7. Salvia yangii (Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox), NC State Extension
8. Paeonia – Herbaceous Types (Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox), NC State Extension
9. Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' (Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox), NC State Extension
10. Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low', University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture)
11. Big-rooted geranium, The Morton Arboretum
12. Peonies thrive on neglect, can live more than 100 years, University of Missouri Extension
13. Longevity of Perennials, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

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